In truth, I was not interested so much in the movie as I was in the woman at my side. There would be time, I figured, later to ask of her week and why she had thought it weird.

"It is I who should be thanking you," I replied. "For your understanding, and your willingness to listen." I was still broken, I knew - not as badly as I had once been, but betimes that brokenness showed through despite my efforts to be good.